Update: Phillipsburg Police Officer arrested on suspicion of rape released pending further investigation

VANDALIA – A Phillipsburg Police Officer who was arrested by Vandalia Police on the suspicion of rape has been released from the Montgomery County Jail pending further investigation.

Justin Sanderson, 32, was arrested by Vandalia Police on Thursday afternoon in connection to an incident that occurred at the Knights Inn on June 28.

Vandalia Police Lt. Kurt Althouse said that charges were presented to prosecutors on Friday but prosecutors requested further investigation and testing of evidence.

According to a report filed on July 3 by two complainants, Sanderson posed as an Ohio State University police officer and agreed to meet with the women at the Knights Inn for prostitution. He then obtained a key card and entered their hotel room and engaged in sexual acts while in uniform.

The women alleged that Sanderson was in uniform and drove his Phillipsburg police cruiser to the Knights Inn.

Vandalia Police, while on routine patrol on Thursday, July 6, noticed a Phillipsburg police cruiser in the lot at the Knights Inn according to Vandalia Police Lt. Kurt Althouse. Subsequent investigation and interviews led to Sanderson’s initial arrest by Vandalia police.

Attempts to reach Phillipsburg Police to determine Sanderson’s status with that department were unsuccessful Monday morning.